Upholstered furniture is valued by consumers primarily because of its high level of comfort, but it has one serious drawback - the upholstery material does not retain its original appearance for long and gradually wears out. Random stains, cigarette burns, and cat claws can speed up this process. When planning to purchase upholstered furniture, the owner must remember that not only he, but also his pets will rest on it. When purchasing a sofa and chair, many owners expect it to last for years.
The need to replace the upholstery may arise not only due to its loss of aesthetic properties. The owner may just get tired of it. If, after a few years, he wants to carry out renovations in the house, then it is possible that the upholstery will fall out of the overall composition of the interior. There are different ways to solve the problems described above, but the most preferable one is to buy a cover for the sofa.
Why do you need a sofa cover?
It’s hard to imagine modern apartments without upholstered furniture on which children and adults can sit comfortably.
It is a pity to change the furniture when the upholstery made of woven materials and eco-leather loses its former attractiveness. To protect the upholstery from dust, dirt, snags, and abrasion, special covers were invented.
A cover can preserve the decent appearance of furniture - a product that is placed on the sofa to protect the upholstery from dirt, stains from cigarettes, and premature wear. It will be possible to avoid abrasion of fibers and the formation of unsightly puffs from cat claws.
For reference. To ensure that the textiles fully correspond to the overall style of the room, choose color combinations to match the color of the curtains or light curtains.
Different fabrics are used to sew a sofa cover.
Advantages of a hand-sewn sofa cover
DIY sofa covers have the following advantages:
- relatively low cost;
- ease of use;
- ease of washing;
- the ability to bring furniture into line with the overall style of the interior;
- aesthetics;
- uniqueness.
By making several different models, you can experiment with the appearance of a piece of furniture. At the same time, such needlework requires very little time.
General recommendations for sewing
Despite the fact that a sofa cover is not a complex sewing item, the following recommendations should still be followed during its manufacture:
- When purchasing material, it is best to take fabric with a margin of about one and a half meters. In the future, the remaining textiles during operation will be useful for possible repairs.
- When cutting, you should not skimp. You can always cut off the excess, but you won’t be able to add material.
- It is not recommended to sew the parts together immediately, neglecting basting.
- Since the load on the seams during the operation of the cover is quite significant, it is recommended to stitch the parts twice.
- To make the seam stronger, the thread tension must be increased. It is best to use reinforced cotton or synthetic threads for sewing covers.
- Since too small stitches violate the structural integrity of the fabric fibers, optimal parameters should be selected. Recommended stitch length is 3 mm.
- If there are pillows on the sofa, then it is best to sew a cover for them with a zipper or Velcro fastener.
- To attach the cover to the sofa, you can sew piping or decorative cords to it. In this way the case can be securely fastened.
You might be interested in this All about patterning and sewing a sundress with buttons on the front
If desired, you can decorate the sofa cover. In the form of decorations, you can use all kinds of frills, bows or embroidery. It should be borne in mind that accessories must be selected in the same style as the interior of the room.
European sofa cover with lace trim
Material selection
Let's take a closer look at the important question - which fabric to choose for a sofa cover.
Velours
This is a wonderful choice for sewing a cover. It has a velvety texture, but compared to velvet it is a cheaper option. For the cover it is better to take wool or cotton material. This cover is easy to care for, it is a hypoallergenic material, and has good wear resistance. When washing, dirt is easily removed. But this option is available to everyone, since its cost is quite high. This cover is suitable for those who do not have pets in the house.
Flock
This is a durable material that is at the same time delicate and very soft. It is often called a substitute for velvet. Flock is practically not deformed, is easy to care for, and has water-repellent properties. Dirt and stains are easy to remove. The color of the material does not fade even in the sun. Dust glue in such a case is unlikely to start, which can also be attributed to its advantages. The material is so safe that a cover can be made from it for a children's sofa. But it is important to remember that sometimes it can cause allergies.
Teflon flock
This is flock that is impregnated with liquid Teflon. This impregnation is part of the fibers. Thanks to this feature, the material repels dirt, dust and water even better. It is almost impossible to leave a stain on such a cover. The material is very easy to wash. It dries quickly. Teflon flock would be a good option for those who have pets.
Microfiber
This is a very durable fabric that retains its appearance and properties even after a long time. There is microfiber impregnated with Teflon, which will be a wonderful option for a sofa cover. This fabric is stable, durable, almost invulnerable.
Cotton
The big advantage of the material is that it is completely natural. The most beautiful sofa covers are made from cotton. But the service life of the material is short, since it does not contain artificial materials. Often the material is coated with impregnation, which increases its service life. Such a cover wears out more slowly and fades less. But after washing, such a cover will shrink, which can be called its disadvantage. Still, for a children's sofa, a cotton cover will be one of the best options.
Jacquard
This fabric is very dense and durable. The material contains cotton, elastane and polyester. The fabric does not deform and is particularly durable. The surface of the jacquard is textured, giving it a very attractive appearance. If you sew a sofa cover from it, the look will be very solid and rich. This is an ideal option for a classic style interior. If you have pets at home, jacquard can be used, since it is very difficult to tear it or make snags.
Velvet
The fleecy material with a pile on the front side is made from natural or artificial silk, hypoallergenic bamboo. The texture, pleasant to the touch, is quite durable, allows air to pass through, holds its shape, does not shrink when washed, and can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
Velvet is a soft material for upholstering a sofa.
Disadvantages include a tendency to fade under exposure to ultraviolet radiation and long drying times. Dust and small particles of dirt accumulate in the fibers. Despite the shortcomings, velvet sofa covers are also appropriate for classic interiors, as in the Rococo and Baroque styles. They go well with Venetian plaster walls.
Eco leather
High-tech synthetics completely imitate various types of natural leather, have no characteristic odor, stretch slightly, tightly fitting the contours of interior items. Cleaning requires special compounds that do not damage the surface film. The material fades and is short-lived: it is wiped off with stains and cannot be restored.
If the furniture is transformed, that is, unfolded and folded, covers must be selected in accordance with the design.
Eco-leather covers are short-lived, difficult to put on, bulky when stored, and pose problems with cleaning. The textured film quickly collapses from contact with traces of sweat and animal hair. The material does not tolerate cleaning agents with chlorine at all. This fabric is chosen by lovers of country style and ethnic styles.
Eco-leather covers are durable.
Chinille
This is a dense material, but at the same time very soft. Therefore, it is perfect for a furniture cover. Shinille is soft and pleasant to the touch. It looks very elegant. A sofa with such a cover will always make a pleasant impression and create comfort. Although the material is dense, at the same time it is quite light thanks to the acrylic fibers included in its composition. Chinille is best used for new furniture. He will not be able to hide the shortcomings of sagging sofas. You should not buy glue-based chinillas. This cover will not last long.
Operating rules
Each set of covers comes with instructions for caring for them. From it you can learn about the composition of the fabric, as well as get acquainted with recommendations for the preferred washing mode and temperature. It is recommended to wash sofa covers on a delicate cycle. Before putting the covers in the washing machine, they must be turned inside out. There is no need to iron the capes after washing, as they are resistant to deformation.
When choosing a case, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. If you believe the test results, the highest quality cases are from Italian and Spanish manufacturers. The capes they offer are distinguished by a variety of options and have a nice design. But at the same time they are more expensive than their competitors. A good option are covers from Turkish manufacturers. They are more affordable, but are not as high quality.
Sofa covers from Chinese manufacturers are the most budget option. However, it is wrong to assume that products made in the Middle Kingdom are always of low quality. You need to look first at the manufacturing company. Although even in this case, the risk of stumbling upon a low-quality product remains.
Features of manufacturing covers
Any housewife who knows how to hold a needle and has experience in handling dense fabrics can take advantage of the knowledge of how to make a cover with her own hands. Of course, you can use a sewing machine, but mostly you will have to work by hand. Also an important and necessary skill will be the ability to make patterns. Suitable ready-made schemes are usually difficult to find.
How to sew a cover for a sofa? The simplest option is to use an old sofa cover. It must be cut into separate pieces and transferred to the selected material. This is a good way to practice your sewing skills.
But not every housewife has such an opportunity. Therefore there is another method. You can take some cheap fabric and try out the master class you like on it - there are plenty of them on the Internet and in specialized magazines.
After you check the sizing and how the cover will look on the sofa, you need to cut out the product and use it as a sample, taking a more expensive material.
As you can see in the photo of hand-made covers, the simplest solution is to put a cover on a sofa without armrests. Such furniture is used in interior design of cottages or children's rooms.
Instead of armrests, you can use small rectangular pads. In this situation, the shape of the cover will be extremely simple, and the decoration will be frills or flounces sewn along the bottom edge.
Choosing shape and sizes
Some owners change the upholstery, but most prefer to purchase a removable cover. Convenient option, easy to change. It is better to sew a product on the sofa with your own hands in two versions, for a festive, ordinary day. On holiday, decorate upholstered furniture with bright, elegant capes. The living room will take on a solemn look. On weekdays you will need practical upholstery. The photo on the right shows different models of capes, covers of different shapes, in an unusual design.
Before you sit down to sew a cover with your own hands, you need to think about the shape and size. There are models that completely cover furniture, handrails, backs, and legs. The fabric completely covers all parts, creating the illusion of the whole flying. The models are good for a home decorated in romantic, English, classic, and modern styles. The click-clack element on the sofa will work well.
Basic measurements
Those who appreciate practicality will like covers made exactly to the size of the furniture, or a model consisting of a “seat” and armrests. Various ruffles, flounces, and many bows are inappropriate. Practical pockets on the side of the cover and armrests will serve as both decoration and “shelves” for storing useful things. Relaxing with reading is a favorite pastime for most; you can put an unread book, glasses, newspaper, or magazines in your pocket. The models are suitable for styles such as: country, high-tech, rustic, modern. The option is successful if there is a sofa in the house.
The size of the cover depends on the design style, shape, and requirements of the owners. It should be taken into account that if the product covers only part of the sofa, then the color should be harmonious with the furniture. If the sofa is completely covered with a cover, then the color does not matter; all that remains is to take into account the overall design of the room. Are you planning to sew a cover for a corner sofa with your own hands? It is necessary to take into account that it will take a little more fabric, the pattern will be more complicated. But there shouldn’t be any difficulties here either.
For the corner sofa Cape With ties With frills
Features of the cover for the corner sofa
When thinking about the interior of your home, you want everything in it to be perfect. But even expensive, good furniture gradually loses its presentation or becomes mechanically damaged. This is especially true for a sofa where children or pets rest.
You need to think about its safety in advance.
Advantages of using a cover for a corner sofa:
- Protection of upholstery from fading and wear;
- Easy to wash the cover when dirty;
- Possibility to refresh furniture at any time;
- Wide range of materials, including hypoallergenic;
- Saving money.
If everything is clear with a cover for a standard sofa, then a blanket for a corner sofa raises many questions.
Usually they are ordered or made independently. There are one-piece and composite covers. Sometimes only some part of the furniture is covered with fabric, and not the entire area.
The back is closed only if the sofa is not close to the wall.
A special feature of covers for a corner sofa is the need to secure it using special elastic bands, buttons or metal fittings. Otherwise, parts of the cover will constantly slide off.
What are Eurocases?
These are special fabrics with rubber threads. They consist of natural, most often cotton, fibers with the addition of acrylic, polyester, and elastane. They are the ones who ensure the transformation of the cape according to the shape of the furniture. Natural fibers make the fabric comfortable for the body.
When choosing a cover, you need to focus on the stylistic design of the room. The designers who develop the models took these important points into account. Options are available from the following materials:
- Jacquard. Their peculiarity is that elasticity is ensured by a sewn-in thin elastic band. The basis of the material is 80 percent natural fabric. Features a variety of patterns and textures. Suitable for classic or “homey” interiors.
- Elastic tire. Fleecy fabric that stretches well. Monochromatic colors predominate. A great option for minimalism.
- Thinner fabrics gathered with pleated elastic bands. These sofa covers are the most effective option. It looks especially beautiful in combination with a frill at the bottom.
- Smooth jersey fabric. It differs in that the material is relatively thin, but elastic and wear-resistant, comfortable to the touch on the body.
The set includes sets for a sofa and armchairs. Euro chair covers can be ordered separately or 2 covers at once.
In the video: European furniture covers.
Types of sofa covers
Once such a product was used widely and everywhere. It has been replaced by modern upholstery materials - beautiful, wear-resistant, but not eternal. In addition, changing the upholstery or purchasing other furniture is not a cheap pleasure.
Today, leading European and domestic manufacturers offer to return to the well-forgotten old, improving its quality. A cover for any type of upholstered furniture has certain advantages and features:
- changes the interior in a matter of minutes;
- universal (suitable for different sizes, and even for transforming sofas);
- The length of the back is the only indicator that should be taken into account when purchasing a cover;
- you can sew it yourself;
- helps preserve upholstery;
- the material from which the cover is made is not allergenic;
- special impregnation repels moisture, fire and increases the service life of the product;
- the fabric is convenient to remove, easy to wash and put on again (follows the contour of the sofa);
- there is a wide range of shades (beige, black, gray, blue, etc.), textures (hairy, smooth, etc.) and models;
- Animals lose interest because... the elastic structure stretches behind the claws.
Good product quality depends on environmental friendliness and practicality. The seams must be strong, durable, without gaps in the filler (if any). A quality certificate is required.
But the main thing is that a sofa cover is an opportunity to save the family budget. In addition, you can use several options alternately. There are different types: with ties, elastic, Velcro, Euro covers. Each of them is worth getting to know better.
With elastic band
The tension cover does not just fit on the sofa, but is stretched, repeating the shape of all the curves of the product, and does not slip. This happens due to a sewn-in elastic band that can stretch and stay on the surface. At the same time, it is also simply removed.
This type of cover is suitable even for non-standard, elaborate furniture. To sew such capes, stretch fabric is used. For example, cotton, polyester or microfiber.
Sofa covers with elastic are much more comfortable than throw covers with ties. They completely cover the furniture, thereby hiding and not being conspicuous, as can be seen in the photo, and are also more convenient and easy to use. You don't need instructions to use them.
Velcro
The main difference from a product with an elastic band is that a special contact tape is used as a fastener to quickly and easily fasten one element of the case to another. This tape is colloquially called “Velcro.” It is used in the manufacture of covers for sofas, armchairs, chairs and other accessories.
Eurocase
A separate universal type of textile product is a Euro-cover, which fits perfectly on any structure. It doesn’t matter what configuration the furniture has or what its dimensions are. They are sewn from dense, durable, elastic fabric that stretches well and fits well to the walls of the sofa. Covers are sold ready to use. They are easy to care for, easily removable, washable in warm water (40°C) and do not require ironing.
There are many advantages to using such capes:
- easy to use;
- simple design;
- stylish design;
- hypoallergenic, pleasant to the touch, wear-resistant fabric washes well and does not shrink (will survive about 100 gentle washes);
- variety of colors and patterns;
- the product can be decorated and embellished.
Among the disadvantages are the following points:
- popular products are often counterfeited (an inexpensive model may turn out to be unoriginal with low-quality material);
- there are very bright, flashy colors that irritate the eye;
- convenient for a sofa book, in other cases you need to remove it when unfolding.
The idea of creating a bedspread that instantly and urgently hides all the defects, stains and unevenness of the sofa arose from Italian craftsmen. A palette of green, burgundy and other tones helps you find the perfect design solution for any home.
On the corner sofa
The length of the back of a corner sofa can be from 3 to 5 m with a protrusion of the corner on the left or right side. Covers are sewn for them:
- on an elastic band. It is first stretched, then put on, the products are suitable for all types;
- capes. A whole blanket, a furniture-shaped cover or separate parts are draped over the sofa, ribbons or zippers are used;
- Eurocase. Dimensionless finished products are used regardless of protrusions.
The latest version of an elastic and stretchable cover will fit a corner sofa of any size, regardless of the presence or absence of armrests, a shelf or a bar. At the same time, it will add sophistication and color to the interior of any room.
On a straight two-, three- and four-seater sofa
To buy sofa covers, you don’t need to measure their dimensions down to the centimeter. It is enough to know the type of furniture: straight, corner, double (1.2m - 1.5m), triple (up to 2.1m) or with four seats.
A sofa of any size without armrests does not place any special demands on the cover. For furniture with two or three places, the product can be made of any fabric, of any type (elastic, Velcro, Euro-cover). The size depends on the number of seats. Coloring depends on taste preferences. There are also no special problems with a four-seater, bulky sofa. The main thing is that the cover is dimensionless and fits perfectly. Products for such sofas are usually used for corner options.
Which fabric is better
The most optimal option is determined taking into account a set of factors on which the service life of the cover depends:
- location of the sofa (proximity to the window, fireplace, radiators, dining area;
- conditions of its operation (number of family members, hospitality of the owners, presence of pets);
- functionality (when the furniture is a sleeping place, choose natural fibers; for the living room and dining room you can choose multi-layer options or impregnated ones).
Important! The canvas is chosen to suit the style of the interior; the taste preferences of the inhabitants of the home are of great importance.
Everyone determines for themselves the pros and cons of each fabric.
Preference is given to practical options that combine an attractive appearance and practicality (machine washable, easy to put on). Jacquard has practically no stretch, but it does not fray, is not prone to stains, and repels moisture. Flock or microfiber is most often used. The fabrics are pleasant to the touch, but are not designed for frequent washing and quickly lose their original beauty.
On sale you can find ready-made covers that are easy to select if you know the exact dimensions of the furniture.
Note! Covers made from stretch versions of natural fabrics fit well on furniture, do not wrinkle, and accurately follow all the contours.
Why does a corner sofa need a blanket?
The upholstery of upholstered furniture is perhaps the most worn part of it.
The fabric, no matter how durable it is, wears out over time, gets dirty, fades, losing its former brightness. Practical owners cover upholstered furniture with a blanket immediately while they are new, or use special covers. But if your corner sofa is no longer new, and you are wondering how to improve the situation, then use this moment to update the interior at the same time, because a good blanket can change the look of the sofa as if you had changed the upholstery.
Bedspreads made from modern fabrics are practical, easy to care for, and hypoallergenic. In addition, you can choose an expensive or economical option, or even have several of them - for different life situations or just a change of mood.
When designing your new bedspread, be aware that some natural fabrics shrink in the wash and may become distorted.
Another small drawback is that the blanket will have to be removed every time you lay out the upholstered furniture, and if this annoys you, choose the simplest design that can be quickly covered and removed.
The textile product not only protects the furniture from abrasion, but also, complementing it, decorates the overall interior
What to choose
Before you start choosing a cover for a corner sofa, you need to take measurements. Even if a small cover fits onto a piece of furniture, it will be too tight, and a large one, in addition to looking sloppy, will wrinkle and eventually wear out quickly.
The most comfortable and practical solution is covers that are placed on each sofa module separately.
If a piece of furniture is in the center of the room, then you need to consider models that can also cover the back. It is very convenient to have elastic bands that prevent the bedspread from slipping.
When selecting a material, the conditions of use and price are important.
Thin, inexpensive materials can easily be damaged or stained by small children and animals. But choosing a fur blanket in this case would be a mistake because of the difficulties in cleaning it.
The material can imitate the natural fur of a cheetah or chinchilla, arctic fox, mink or other animals.
The color of the cover for the corner sofa should be chosen based not only on your own preferences, but also in relation to the interior design. For those who quickly get bored with one style, there is a double-sided cover option, which has a different color on the front and back sides.
Bedspreads for a corner sofa can be either plain or colored.
Color solutions
Upholstered furnishings are always a key aspect of furnishings. With the help of textiles or other materials, you can radically change the atmosphere, make it pompous or extraordinary.
Designers distinguish two color categories of furniture:
- plain neutral (milky, gray, beige tones) and rich (yellow, red, green, orange, fashionable lilac or purple shades);
- with a pattern, the images are chosen to be desaturated, small or medium in size (large prints are acceptable only for long and bulky sofas).
The designer will help you decide on a sofa cover.
Some tips for compatibility with the design of the room:
- monochrome implies a single color scheme for the finishing of the walls and the covering material, only the shades differ, a subtle pattern is possible that creates three-dimensionality;
- neutral colors do not cause any thermal sensations, balance warm or cold tones of the environment, and serve as a background for the perception of other elements of the surroundings;
- a combined design option is an emphasis on the sofa; this requires rich colors, bright, rich shades that add dynamics.
The denser the upholstery material, the higher the category it belongs to.
For reference. Milky shades of white, beige-yellow, beige-brown, pale shades of chocolate, coffee are considered universal.